Calls are being made for the Grade I status of Bury St Edmunds’ Cupola House - which was reconstructed following a major fire - to be dropped.
Others with an interest in the town’s heritage share historian Dr Pat Murrell’s concern that the rebuilt 17th-century building in the Traverse is no longer worthy of this grading given by Historic England.
Grade I is reserved for structures of “exceptional interest”, but some feel as so much of the original building was lost in the fire of 2012 entitlement to this special status has been lost with it.
Martyn Taylor, chairman of the Bury Society, agrees it should no longer be recognised as Grade I.
He said: “The general consensus from our point of view is it’s a rebuild. It’s not a restoration because how can you restore something that’s not there?”
Dr Murrell described the new building as a “pastiche” of the original and said “serious questions” needed to be asked of Historic England if they chose to uphold the Grade I listing.
Graham Gosling, a retired teacher who says he is appreciative of Bury’s history and architecture, gave his support to Dr Murrell’s concern.
He said: “On balance, I am pleased that Cupola House has been reconstructed. Its outside façade has been brought back to life and can once again enhance the appearance of The Traverse.
“However, all local people know how devastating the fire was and how little of the original building survived.
“I was amazed to hear that its Grade I status has been retained by Historic England. Such a grading is usually reserved for exceptional and largely intact buildings, such as, for example, the Unitarian Meeting House or Northgate House, in Bury.”
Speaking previously, a Historic England spokesman said they are not currently reviewing the Grade I listing of Cupola House, but people can apply through their website for an amendment to the list entry.
“We understand that some works are still ongoing and we usually wait until works are complete before we review a listed building. Cupola House is now structurally sound and was removed from our Heritage at Risk Register last summer. The damage was mainly to the rear of the building and parts of the roof. The façade and historic timber frame have survived.”
The building was previously a Strada restaurant and has reopened as Bourgee, a steak and lobster house.
Previously James Welling, a director of Bourgee, said: “We are aware we are the custodians of the building and the building belongs to the town so we have been sympathetic with the design.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here